After admission, the retention test: MP’s RTE reimbursement rethink
Madhya Pradesh has changed the way reimbursement is calculated for children studying in private unaided schools under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, introducing separate payment slabs for different stages of schooling.
The new structure gives a higher reimbursement value to students who continue into Classes 6 to 8, bringing the focus towards a question that goes beyond admission — whether children entering schools through RTE remain enrolled until completing elementary education.
For the 2024-25 academic session, Madhya Pradesh fixed separate annual reimbursement rates:
• Pre-primary: Rs 6,082 per child
• Classes 1 to 5: Rs 6,404 per child
• Classes 6 to 8: Rs 7,131 per child
MP RTE reimbursement rates 2024-25: What changed?
The School Education Department notified separate reimbursement slabs for pre-primary, primary and upper primary students under Section 12(1)(c) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
Earlier reimbursement calculations followed a common elementary-level approach reflected in government records. The new arrangement creates different reimbursement ceilings based on the class level of the student.
The revised rates apply to children from disadvantaged groups and weaker sections studying in non-aided private schools under the RTE quota.
The government retained the existing condition that reimbursement will be limited to the lower amount between the notified rate and the actual fee charged by the school.
Why the Classes 6-8 slab matters
RTE admission takes place only at the entry stage, usually in pre-primary classes or Class 1. Once admitted, children continue their education in the same school as they move through elementary classes.
This makes the upper primary years important. By Classes 6 to 8, students face a different academic environment, with increased subject complexity, higher expectations and greater chances of learning gaps becoming visible.
The higher reimbursement slab for Classes 6 to 8 creates a separate financial category for students who continue beyond the primary stage.
The bigger issue: getting children to stay in school
The reimbursement change comes at a time when school education data shows that the challenge is gradually moving from enrolment to retention.
Five-year UDISE+ data from the Indore region shows that dropout in Classes 1 to 5 declined from 1.4% in 2021-22 to zero per cent in 2025-26.
However, dropout remained higher after the primary stage. Secondary dropout stood at 12.1% in 2025-26 after reaching 16.4% in 2023-24.
| Academic Year | Primary (Classes 1-5) | Upper Primary (Classes 6-8) | Secondary (Classes 9-10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 1.4% | 4.8% | 14.2% |
| 2022-23 | 0.8% | 5.5% | 15.6% |
| 2023-24 | 0.2% | 6.1% | 16.4% |
| 2024-25 | 0% | 5.8% | 14.8% |
| 2025-26 | 0% | 4.1% | 12.1% |
The figures show that children are entering schools and remaining enrolled during the early years, but some students struggle to continue as academic pressure increases.
From RTE entry to retention: the missing link
The latest reimbursement order does not state that private schools were avoiding older RTE students or that reimbursement was the reason behind dropout. However, the timing brings attention to the transition years when continuation becomes more difficult.
Education experts and teachers point towards learning gaps, examination failures, irregular attendance and family circumstances as factors that influence whether students continue schooling.
Learning difficulties often appear before students leave
Teachers said dropout was often the final stage of a longer process that began with academic difficulties. Classes 5 and 8 emerged as important transition points, as students moved to higher levels of learning and faced increased academic pressure.
Mathematics remained the biggest hurdle among students who failed, accounting for an estimated 40–45% of failures. English contributed around 25–30%, while Social Science accounted for approximately 20–25%.
Students failing in multiple subjects faced additional challenges. Under RSKMP rules, students failing in three or more subjects were not eligible for supplementary examinations and had to repeat the academic year.
Teachers said repeating a class could affect confidence, particularly when students returned to classrooms with younger children.
“Children feel uncomfortable when they have to sit with juniors after failing. Their confidence takes a hit, and parents also start worrying about how the child will cope,” said Kantabai Mandloi, parent.
Teachers highlight need for early support
Rajnish Shrotriya, teacher at Government Ahilya Ashram School No. 1, Indore, said academic difficulties needed attention before they affected a child’s connection with school.
“A student struggling in one subject should not feel that school is no longer meant for them. Early identification and support can prevent a learning gap from becoming a dropout,” he said.
Educators in Mhow block also pointed to migration among families engaged in temporary work as a factor affecting attendance and continuity. Students returning after long gaps often struggled to match classroom learning levels.
“Students who return after a long gap need academic support to catch up. If the gap continues, the possibility of leaving school increases,” said Sunayana Sharma from PM Rise School, Indore.
Indore schools shift focus from enrolment to continuation
For years, improving enrolment remained one of the main priorities of school education programmes. The latest data indicates that the next challenge is ensuring that enrolled students continue their journey through higher classes.
District project coordinator (School Education), Indore, Sanjay Kumar Mishra, said schools were working on identifying irregular attendance and learning difficulties at an early stage.
“The focus is on identifying students at risk early and ensuring intervention before they leave the education system,” he said.
Will higher RTE reimbursement improve retention?
The revised reimbursement structure changes the financial framework for RTE students studying in private unaided schools. The highest slab has been assigned to Classes 6 to 8, the stage where continuation becomes more challenging for some students.
However, reimbursement alone cannot determine retention. Academic support, attendance monitoring, family circumstances and learning outcomes will continue to influence whether children remain in school.
The impact of the new MP RTE reimbursement rates for 2024-25 will become clearer when schools begin processing claims and the education system evaluates whether more children continue up to Class 8.
Related reading
Madhya Pradesh has continued to reshape school education policies through budget decisions, language initiatives and curriculum changes. Read more:
- Madhya Pradesh Budget 2021: Education priorities and school sector changes
- MP schools say salut to multilingualism: How language learning is changing classrooms
- Sanskrit is new cool: MP students can explore traditional language learning
Frequently asked questions
What are the new MP RTE reimbursement rates for 2024-25?
Madhya Pradesh fixed annual reimbursement rates of Rs 6,082 for pre-primary students, Rs 6,404 for Classes 1 to 5 and Rs 7,131 for Classes 6 to 8.
Are RTE admissions made in all classes?
No. RTE admissions under Section 12(1)(c) generally take place at the entry level, usually pre-primary or Class 1. Students continue their education through subsequent classes after admission.
Why is the Classes 6-8 reimbursement slab important?
Classes 6 to 8 represent a transition stage where academic pressure increases and some students face difficulties continuing education. The new slab creates a separate reimbursement category for this stage.
Does the new reimbursement order say schools were rejecting older RTE students?
No. The order only changes reimbursement calculations. It does not state that schools were refusing continuation of RTE students or that reimbursement was the reason for dropout.